This week I step away from my usual shamanic concerns to talk about my other great passion, photography. Specifically, my journey into applying for and being awarded the Royal Photographic Society’s Licentiate Distinction (the LRPS).
This instalment, considers what the LRPS is and how you can prepare for it. In Part 2, I’ll tell you about RPS Advisory Days, which will help you to shape your panel. Part 3, focusses on how you finalise your panel and offers a few tips for success. Finally, in Part 4, I’ll look at how you apply and the assessment process.
Part 1: Preparation
What is the RPS?
Founded in 1853, the Royal Photographic Society is one of the world’s oldest photographic societies. The RPS is an international charitable organisation which aims to increase the knowledge and understanding of photography and film, inspiring photographers through exhibitions and workshops. RPS membership is open to anyone, no matter how knowledgable or experienced.
What is the LRPS?
In addition to ordinary membership, the RPS offers three levels of certification, called Distinctions. The Distinction ‘Licentiate of The Royal Photographic Society’ is the first level of the Royal Photographic Society’s Distinctions. Higher distinctions include Associate (ARPS) and Fellow (FRPS). Licentiate members are entitled to use the letters LRPS after their name.
Can anyone apply for the LRPS?
Absolutely! The RPS website claims the standard as, ‘high, but achievable for most dedicated photographers’.
What are the rules of the LRPS?
You need to submit a panel of ten images. This can be mounted prints, a sequence of digital images or as a book. You need to show, ‘variety in approach and technique but not necessarily in subject matter, evidence of creative ability and a high technical standard’. It is also, ‘essential that a range of photographic skills are demonstrated within your submission’.
What criteria are you assessed upon for the LRPS?
Judges must consider camera work and technical quality, visual awareness, communication and the overall impression of both the individual photographs and the panel as a whole.
How can you prepare for the LRPS?
1. Build up your portfolio
Take as many and as diverse a range of photographs as you can. Have fun discovering what type of photography you enjoy, as you challenge yourself.
Join a photography group or make use of a company like 36exp (check out their website, here), who offer courses in styles that you might not have previously attempted – things like long exposure, night photography, street photography or portraiture.
Try visiting venues that offer interesting subjects – a zoo, a warehouse, a skatepark!
2. Improve your critique
Look at other people’s photographs on sites, such as Flickr. How would you improve the image. Would you crop it differently? Compose it differently? Would you have chosen different camera settings?
Look at the RPS website’s examples of successful LRPS panels. What do you think makes them ‘good’ photographs?
3. Get a second opinion.
Put your best photographs in an accessible album (e.g. Facebook or Flickr) and ask your friends and family to vote on their favourites. Is there a consensus? This can help you to refine which photographs are true contenders for your panel.
Are there any courses that prepare you for the LRPS?
I can recommend ‘Digital photography: creating and sharing better images (TG089)‘ a joint enterprise between the Open University and the RPS. Over the course of ten weeks, you’ll learn the basics of photography and undertake various photography challenges. You also get to assess the work of fellow students, which is a really valuable experience.
The course leads towards presenting a panel of images. However, I would caution you that success on the course is no guarantee of a successful LRPS panel. If, like me, you find yourself looking for something to kick start your journey, I think it’s a fantastic option.